Williams hosts youth camp
UTSA running back Jarveon Williams is giving back. Entering his senior season, the Converse Judson product is poised to leave campus with nearly every rushing record in the short history of UTSA football. Success on the field isn’t enough for Williams, however. He proved that last week by hosting a youth camp for 15 kids at a youth field in Cibolo.
“I think it went pretty well for my first camp,” Williams said. “I started a non-profit called 210 Development and this was the first camp we held. It wasn’t anything huge, but the kids had fun and learned some things and I think that’s all I could ask for.”
With the help of some current UTSA teammates, Williams led young athletes from eight to 13 years old through football drills focused on footwork, balance and agility. It was a new opportunity for some of those in attendance and that is Williams’ ultimate goal.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t have things like camps to go to that were local. Not everyone has older people around to help guide them and teach them the proper things at a young age. We develop bad habits without coaching and then high school and college come around and we fix them. If we start earlier and never get those bad habits we’ll be more successful.”
Williams wants the city to be more successful. There is no denying that San Antonio lags behind Houston and Dallas in perception of talent. The gap is no doubt closing as years pass, but the gap is still there and Williams is aware.
“San Antonio is getting better, but we can do more. We lack development at early ages in this city and that’s why those other cities get more attention. We need to fix our development in order to fix the perception of athletes in this city,” Williams said. “I want us to be compared to Houston and Dallas and be recognized around the state and the country. I want that for us.”
It wasn’t too long ago that Williams was in high school and picking schools. He scoffed at the notion of him seeing this as his future back in those days as a Rocket.
“I would have looked at you weird,” said Williams when asked his reaction if he was told about his current life as a high schooler. “UTSA was just starting out and I thought there was no way I would end up there. Things worked out and here I am. I’ve done a lot of maturing and growing. That comes with age, but it is also because I’m around my little brother and all my cousins. I took a step back and thought about what they need. What I needed or wanted when I was in high school. I want to help give more avenues for athletes.”
Eventually, Williams wants 210 Development to be about more than football. His sport was a good starting spot, but he believes the lessons learned are useful to all athletes. Williams talks like a college athlete at peace with his position. There is a lot of weight on his shoulders heading into the 2016 season. He’ll be the focal point of the offense and is expected to perform at an all-conference level under a new staff for a program that won seven games over the past two years. He’s also one of the first local stars at UTSA.
“I feel fortunate to be in the position that I am in right now. To be in my city and help give the younger guys something I didn’t is special. I want to give back what I’ve learned in my years playing football and give these kids some more tools to use."